With billions of dollars in property damage already done this year and the potential for your home to be next on the hit list, termites are one creature you just never want to face. As often as people worry about termites, though, some still don’t take the necessary measures for treatment! Take a closer look at the two main types you might face and their behaviors, then decide if you really don’t want to take the time to have your home inspected and treated by termite and pest control professionals.
Subterranean Termites
This type of termite lives in the soil under your home. They prefer to eat soft wood fibers, so the wood they damage (typically the entire structure of your home) usually has a honeycombed appearance, with just the grain itself left standing. These colonies can have thousands of workers, and they love homes in the southern U.S. more than they do anywhere else, though they’ve been found in every U.S. state except Alaska.
Infestations begin with the colony sending out swarms of winged termites that look a bit like flying ants. A colony, though, can be active for a full five years before the swarms are sent out. You may see piles of these guys on the windowsills of your home if you are infested.
Drywood Termites
Unlike their cousins, the drywood termites like dry wood. They don’t need the soil to survive, and they can live through a drought for long periods of time. All of the moisture they need to survive comes from the wood these little guys consume and their metabolism they use to digest that. These guys love the structural components of your home more than anything else, and once they move on, it looks as if your wood has been sanded clean. They can form separate colonies throughout your home. You may find one group in the basement working on the foundation and another in the attic. They are often found in the warmest climates, like Florida.
In the event you are infested with this type, you’ll know almost right away thanks to the swarmers. These swarmers, though, look different from subterranean termites as most of the dead bodies don’t have attached wings. They can be up to 12mm in length, and they have large mandibles with teeth.
Three Things You Must Know Now About Termites
Termites are one of the most serious problems you can face as a homeowner. If the damage gets bad enough, you could face thousands in repairs just to be able to live in your home. Your homeowner’s insurance policy does not cover the damage from termites. Here are a few other things you need to know.
- Termites work 24 hours a day, never sleeping, always eating. All of that time is spent working their way through your home.
- Typical homes with termites usually have three to four colonies inside or surrounding the home. Each colony usually plays host to one million termites.
- Workers can search for food up to 250 feet from their colony, so if your neighbors have a problem, there’s a good chance that you do as well.
Termites are one pest control problem you simply don’t want to fight. Contact a pest control professional today for an inspection.